News Archive
The International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) Program Committee has extended the deadline to submit an abstract for the 16th IRPA International Congress/69th Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting to 1 December 2023. Click here for more information on submitting an abstract. For those of you used to submitting HPS abstracts, please be sure to note the different subject areas. We are confident you will still find a Main Area (MA) that will fit your topic(s) well! Please review below to learn more about the topics each area covers. For more information about the scopes of each area, see the meeting website.
MA1: UNDERPINNING SCIENCES
Basic sciences of biology, chemistry, and epidemiology form the scientific foundation of the systems of ionizing and nonionizing radiation protection. They underlie most of the other MAs in this Congress. New technologies provide opportunities for advancing science and practice in radiation protection.
Topics in MA1 include:
- 1.1 Mechanisms of damage underlying biological responses to ionizing and nonionizing radiations
- 1.2 Latest cancer epidemiology studies on occupational, environmental, and medical exposures to ionizing radiation
- 1.3 Latest epidemiological and experimental findings on risk of noncancer normal tissue effects at low doses and low dose rates
- 1.4 Integration of biology and epidemiology to inform risk assessment
- 1.5 Space radiation biology, effects, and risks
- 1.6 Use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, large datasets, and radio genomics in radiation protection
- 1.7 Effects on nonhuman biota
- 1.8 Basic research in radiation protection in medicine
MA2: THE SYSTEMS OF PROTECTION FOR IONIZING AND NONIONIZING RADIATION
The system of ionizing radiation protection is undergoing a major review, with an aim to update the International Commission on Radiological Protection's (ICRP) general recommendations of 2007. ICRP is evaluating feedback and suggestions on the current recommendations from practitioners and standard-setting organizations, reviewing the overall system of protection as well as some specific aspects such as the classification of radiation effects and the grouping of exposure situations. At the same time, there are major developments in the system of protection against nonionizing radiation developed by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation.
Topics in MA2 include:
- 2.1 Protection against ionizing and non-ionizing radiation – similarities, differences, and the future
- 2.2 Objectives and principles of protection
- 2.3 Science, values and judgements, and recommendations
- 2.4 Challenges with the practical application of the system of protection
MA3: COMMUNICATION, STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The systems of radiological protection build on not only science and experience, but also social values. During the implementation of the systems of protection, ethical values should be addressed, stakeholders should be engaged, and economic and societal aspects should be considered. In addition, effective communication of radiation risks has been a well-recognized challenge.
Topics in MA3 include:
- 3.1 Risk perception and communication
- 3.2 Stakeholder participation
- 3.3 Societal and economic issues
- 3.4 Ethical issues including gender perspective
- 3.5 Radiological protection culture
- 3.6 Education and training
- 3.7 Knowledge management and knowledge transfer
- 3.8 Experience from radiation protection societies
MA4: DOSIMETRY AND MEASUREMENTS
The International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements system of radiation quantities and units is the basis for dosimetry and measurements. To characterize radiation risks, very often, it is required first to measure the radiation involved and to assess the dose from the exposure.
Topics in MA4 include:
- 4.1 Standards and regulations
- 4.2 External exposure characterization
- 4.3 Internal exposure assessment
- 4.4 Biological dosimetry and biomarkers of exposure
- 4.5 Numerical and computational dosimetry
- 4.6 Environmental dosimetry, monitoring, and modelling
- 4.7 Space radiation dosimetry
- 4.8 Experience from radiation protection societies
- 4.9 Numerical and computational retrospective dosimetry
- 4.10 Contamination characterization
MA5: RADIATION PROTECTION IN HEALTH CARE
Over the past decades, applications of radiation in medicine have advanced. While the benefits of using radiation technologies in health care are clear, protection of the patients and health care workers needs to be improved and optimized (Bonn Call for Action, 2012).
Topics in MA5 include:
- 5.1 Standards and regulations
- 5.2 Justification, optimization of protection, and safety in medicine
- 5.3 Radiation benefit-risk dialogue
- 5.4 Diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology
- 5.5 Radiation therapy
- 5.6 Safety culture, including quality assurance, patient safety, and prevention of medical radiation incidents
- 5.7 Radiation protection of health professionals
- 5.8 Health care radiation protection training and education
- 5.9 Medical treatment after overexposure
MA6: RADIATION PROTECTION IN NUCLEAR POWER AND FUEL CYCLE INDUSTRIES
Nuclear power has played an important role in providing electricity to society and addressing challenges associated with climate change. In nuclear power generation and fuel cycle industries, workers are subject to occupational exposure. In addition, activities from these industries may also lead to concerns over radiation exposure to the public and contamination to the environment.
Topics in MA6 include:
- 6.1 Legal aspects, regulations, and standards
- 6.2 Radiation protection in nuclear fuel cycle industries
- 6.3 Radiation protection in nuclear power generation
- 6.4 Radiation protection in transport of nuclear and radioactive materials
- 6.5 Protection of the public and the environment
- 6.6 New technologies
MA7: RADIATION PROTECTION IN PRACTICES
Radiation technologies have been widely used in industry, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and the military. The use of radiation and associated technologies and materials in these practices needs to be safeguarded and optimized.
Topics in MA7 include:
- 7.1 Standards, directives, and regulations
- 7.2 Industrial and agricultural applications
- 7.3 Veterinary applications
- 7.4 Aerospace practicalities
- 7.5 Military applications
- 7.6 Safety and security of radioactive sources
MA8: RADIATION PROTECTION IN NIR APPLICATIONS
Nonionizing radiation (NIR) has wide applications in industry, health care, and our daily life. Adequate protection from exposure to NIR must be considered, evaluated, and optimized.
Topics in MA8 include:
- 8.1 Standards and regulations
- 8.2 Electromagnetic and static fields
- 8.3 Optical radiation (ultraviolet, visible, and infrared) and laser radiation
- 8.4 Ultrasound and infrasound
MA9: NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES
Past radiological accidents and nuclear emergencies demonstrated significant challenges in the protection of emergency workers, responders, recovery workers, the public, and the environment. Knowledge and experience on preparedness for, response to, and recovery from nuclear and radiological emergencies are valuable to share among the radiation protection community.
Topics in MA9 include:
- 9.1 Standards and regulations
- 9.2 Dose assessment, health consequences, and protective actions: lessons from major accidents
- 9.3 Methodologies for emergency exposure assessment and population monitoring
- 9.4 Capacity development
- 9.5 Incident and accident reporting systems
- 9.6 Recovery and remediation activities
- 9.7 Management of RP in geopolitical context and COVID-19 pandemic
- 9.8 Management of ethical aspects and communication in an emergency
MA10: RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NUCLEAR, MEDICAL, AND INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
Radioactive waste is generated in most activities involving the production or use of radioactive materials. Such waste needs to be safely managed. The volume and radioactive content vary widely and require commensurate protection measures.
Topics in MA10 include:
- 10.1 Standards and regulations
- 10.2 Decommissioning including remediation activities
- 10.3 Impacts of NORM wastes (tailing and residues)
- 10.4 Operational management including storage and recycling
- 10.5 Disposal
- 10.6 Legal and regulatory aspects
MA11: RADON AND NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIATION
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Exposure to radon may occur at the workplace or at home. Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) pose a significant challenge in the management of related exposure to humans and contamination to the environment.
Topics in MA11 include:
- 11.1 Legal aspects, standards, and regulations
- 11.2 Radon: practice and research
- 11.3 NORM and natural background radiation
- 11.4 NORM impact assessment
- 11.5 Use, recovery, and re-use of materials containing NORM
- 11.6 National capabilities for assessment of impacts of NORM
- 11.7 Transport of materials containing NORM
- 11.8 Emerging industries or areas with NORM